Born on November 15, 1906, to farmers, Nikkyō had a humble life in a small town. Later in his youth, he moved to Tokyo to work, where he began to study several different religions. During his studies, he attended a sermon on the Lotus Sutra and became a Buddhist.
Risshō Kōsei Kaiedit
Niwano had been actively involved with the Buddhist group Reiyūkai, and it was then that he encountered Myoko Naganuma and led her to convert to Reiyūkai. In 1938 they both attended a leaders meeting where the leadership of Reiyūkai made several comments stating that the Lotus Sutra was outdated. After discussing this matter with each other, they decided that they could not belong to an organization which held this type of view.[1] On March 5, 1938, they founded Risshō Kōsei Kai, holding the first meeting in Niwano's house.
Niwano was to be the President and Naganuma to be the vice-president. As the organization grew he gave up his job as a milkman and devoted himself full-time to the ministry. He became involved in interfaith activities and helped to found the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 1970. During this time he became involved in numerous religious and cultural conferences and gatherings, some of which include the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace and the 6th WCRP in Italy, where he presided over the WCRP alongside Pope John Paul II.[2] He also spoke on several occasions as the United Nations calling for world peace and the abolition of nuclear arms.
In 1991 he stepped down as president and was succeeded by his eldest son, Nichiko Niwano. Although retired, he continued to participate in interfaith and peace activities.
In 1993 Niwano was awarded the Interfaith Medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews.
Author Daniel Montgomery writes that "no Buddhist leader in the World has become more widely known or showered with honours than him."[3]
Death and legacyedit
Nikkyo Niwano died on October 4, 1999. He was cremated and some of his ashes were placed in the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle, a small stupa located on the grounds of the group's headquarters.
Worksedit
Nikkyō Niwano (1980). , A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra, Kosei Publishing Co/Weatherhill Inc; ISBN0834801477
nikkyō, niwano, kcsg, 庭野日敬, niwano, nikkyō, 1906, 1999, founders, first, president, buddhist, organization, risshō, kōsei, kcsgpresident, risshō, kōsei, great, teacher, vehiclein, office, march, 1939, november, 1991incumbentassumed, office, march, 1939preceded. Nikkyō Niwano KCSG 庭野日敬 Niwano Nikkyō 1906 1999 was one of the founders and the first president of the Buddhist organization Risshō Kōsei Kai Nikkyō NiwanoKCSGPresident of Risshō Kōsei Kai RKK Great Teacher of the One VehicleIn office March 5 1939 November 15 1991IncumbentAssumed office March 5 1939Preceded byNone office createdSucceeded byNichiko Niwano1st President of Risshō Kōsei KaiPersonal detailsBorn 1906 11 15 November 15 1906Niigata Prefecture JapanDiedOctober 4 1999 1999 10 04 aged 92 SpouseSai NiwanoChildrenNichiko Niwano son RelativesKosho Niwano Granddaughter Known forReligious work founder of Risshō Kōsei KaiAwardsTempleton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion 1979 Knight Commander with the Silver Star 1992 Interfaith Medallion 1993WebsiteRisshō Kōsei Kai Contents 1 Early life 2 Risshō Kōsei Kai 3 Awards 4 Death and legacy 5 Works 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksEarly life editBorn on November 15 1906 to farmers Nikkyō had a humble life in a small town Later in his youth he moved to Tokyo to work where he began to study several different religions During his studies he attended a sermon on the Lotus Sutra and became a Buddhist Risshō Kōsei Kai editNiwano had been actively involved with the Buddhist group Reiyukai and it was then that he encountered Myoko Naganuma and led her to convert to Reiyukai In 1938 they both attended a leaders meeting where the leadership of Reiyukai made several comments stating that the Lotus Sutra was outdated After discussing this matter with each other they decided that they could not belong to an organization which held this type of view 1 On March 5 1938 they founded Risshō Kōsei Kai holding the first meeting in Niwano s house Niwano was to be the President and Naganuma to be the vice president As the organization grew he gave up his job as a milkman and devoted himself full time to the ministry He became involved in interfaith activities and helped to found the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 1970 During this time he became involved in numerous religious and cultural conferences and gatherings some of which include the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace and the 6th WCRP in Italy where he presided over the WCRP alongside Pope John Paul II 2 He also spoke on several occasions as the United Nations calling for world peace and the abolition of nuclear arms In 1991 he stepped down as president and was succeeded by his eldest son Nichiko Niwano Although retired he continued to participate in interfaith and peace activities Awards editIn 1979 Niwano was awarded the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion In 1992 he was made a Knight Commander with the Silver Star of the Order of St Gregory the Great by the Vatican In 1993 Niwano was awarded the Interfaith Medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews Author Daniel Montgomery writes that no Buddhist leader in the World has become more widely known or showered with honours than him 3 Death and legacy editNikkyo Niwano died on October 4 1999 He was cremated and some of his ashes were placed in the Precious Stupa of the One Vehicle a small stupa located on the grounds of the group s headquarters Works editNikkyō Niwano 1980 Buddhism for Today A Modern Interpretation of the Threefold Lotus Sutra Kosei Publishing Co Weatherhill Inc ISBN 0834801477 Nikkyō Niwano 1989 A Guide to the Threefold Lotus Sutra Kosei Publishing Co ISBN 433301025X Nikkyō Niwano 1978 Lifetime Beginner An Autobiography Kosei Publishing Co ISBN 4333003369 Nikkyō Niwano 1995 Invisible Eyelashes Seeing What is Closest to Us Kosei Publishing Co ISBN 4333016819References edit Rissho Kosei kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii rkhawaii org Archived from the original on 2012 09 15 About Rissho Kosei kai a Buddhist organization rk world org Archived from the original on 2010 04 04 Retrieved 2010 02 17 Montgomery Daniel 1991 Fire in the Lotus The Dynamic Religion of Nichiren London Mandala ISBN 1852740914 page 232 Further reading editShinozaki Michio T 2001 Peace and Nonviolence from a Mahayana Buddhist Perspective Nikkyo Niwano s Thought Buddhist Christian Studies 21 13 30External links editOfficial Profile Rissho Kosei Kai website Buddhist titles Preceded byNone Director General Rissho Kosei kaiMarch 5 1938 March 28 1943 Succeeded byHimself as President Preceded bynone President of Rissho Kosei kaiMarch 28 1943 November 15 1991 Succeeded byNichiko Niwano Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nikkyō Niwano amp oldid 1223618478, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
